[Slim1970]

I'm using the Kimber copper with mine, though that's just what my pair came with (I got mine second-hand). I can't comment on sound differences, but it's pretty nice, pretty ergonomic, easy to manage, well-built.

I want to get an aftermarket cable, but I'm not sure what to get it, all silver or all copper. I like the sound of the stock cable, which is all copper. Most of my other headphones have silver cables on them. I like the traits that silver brings. I'm just not sure that it'll work well with the SEM1's

 

[mrtim6]

Without wanting to start a cable love hate war on this thread.
I think your
Source
DAC and/or amp will be the most significant upgrade.
Cables I think should come once your happy with the first three.
Of course there’s one other very important factor, which is seldom discussed on headfi, the quality of the audio file - wether it be vinyl, CD, SACD, Bluray recording, downloaded or streamed.

 

[Undun]

I forgot how well Classical sounded on these (I mostly listen to Jazz and some RnB here and here). I was listening to Gustav Holst's "The Planets" performed by London Philharmonic and balance between the sense of scale and immediacy of dynamics was outstanding. On other sets, you usually trade one for the other or there's such a strong emphasis on scale and grand staging that you lose the strong macro-dynamics in the attack of certain instruments (especially brass: trombone, trumpet, french horn all sound wonderful on these). I especially recall feeling this with sets like the HD800 and HE1000V2, and to a lesser extent on my Aryas. With the Pioneers, I can have both.

 

[musicday]

Anyone managed to replace the earpads? If yes, how ?

 

[Trentof]

Disassembled the headphones to replace the mmcx connector (it broke). It was difficult, the grille was glued with glue and we had to saw off four iron protrusions (see photo).
Tell me, what is the more reliable connector that can be put instead of mmcx ?
I was thinking of 3.5mm mom (like Denon D7200, BD T1 Tesla, Quad Era-1)

 

[Benny-x]

My go-to choice is always mini XLR, 3-pin or 4pin. I bet the space would be tight, but they're my #1 choice.

Thanks a lot for adding the internal pictures

 

[Chris Kaoss]

Disassembled the headphones to replace the mmcx connector (it broke). It was difficult, the grille was glued with glue and we had to saw off four iron protrusions (see photo).
Tell me, what is the more reliable connector that can be put instead of mmcx ?
I was thinking of 3.5mm mom (like Denon D7200, BD T1 Tesla, Quad Era-1)

Nice to see it worked well.

My choice would be, for my own convenient reasons, the 3.5 connector.

Bought one FAW cable for my Era-1 and still use it on my D9200 and the SEM5 as well.
So my choice is really obvious, for me. ^^

 

[musicday]

Disassembled the headphones to replace the mmcx connector (it broke). It was difficult, the grille was glued with glue and we had to saw off four iron protrusions (see photo).
Tell me, what is the more reliable connector that can be put instead of mmcx ?
I was thinking of 3.5mm mom (like Denon D7200, BD T1 Tesla, Quad Era-1)

As you have already dissembled your headphones, can you tell us if the earpads can be removed? I would prefer high quality leather ones.

 

[Trentof]

As you have already dissembled your headphones, can you tell us if the earpads can be removed? I would prefer high quality leather ones.

 

[Benny-x]

As you have already dissembled your headphones, can you tell us if the earpads can be removed? I would prefer high quality leather ones.

This has been answered a few times in the thread already.

The foam pieces you see on the earcup/driver side are glued to it and glued to the earpads. They cannot be easily removed and the earpads cannot be easily swapped.

It looks like if you follow standard removal steps for glued components like using a heat gun, prying, and getting lucky, you can remove them. But, it's not straight forward.

The best thing to do would be to send your headphones to a modder that also makes leather earpads, then get both done.

The attached pictures are great and they look like the person who disassembled the SEM1s did a great job around the glued foam parts.

 

[musicday]

Did anyone compared iBasso SR2 with Master 1? Heard very good reviews for the first especially as it is more affordable

 

[Undun]

Did anyone compared iBasso SR2 with Master 1? Heard very good reviews for the first especially as it is more affordable

I've heard it before! I think I heard around the time I got my hands on Master 1s (maybe a few months later). From what I can recall, the SR2 was a great headphone--although a pretty different presentation from the Master 1. They both have somewhat accentuated treble, although I think the SR2 is a little less intense and more laid-back overall. I think macro-dynamics and bass are simply better on the Master 1, but the SR2 is like $550?? I think it's pretty awesome given the price, and I think the resolution was pretty solid, maybe in between the Sundara and Ananda (which, again, is awesome given the price). By contrast, the Master1 is around or better than Arya level for resolution, to my ears. So in summary: slam, transients, image (clarity, resolution, distinction, separation), stage were all better on the Master 1s as I recall BUT the SR2 was more chill and laid-back, while still having a decent amount of detail, which has its perks too. Hope this kinda helps--to reiterate I haven't heard those in a while but I recall them being quite good.

 

[musicday]

Looking to buy a pair of Master1. PM if you want to sell yours.

 

[Jarlaxle]

What a read it was. I thought I could get a pair locally and since it is not cheap I wanted to learn everything about them. Almost read every post except the ones with unneeded drama. Today I contacted the seller. Although it is listed in their website, they said it was not available. Anyway, I'm impressed by what I read. Hope to join to the club someday.

 

[Shakhal]

Hi guys,

I will have the HP next week, I would like to change the cable to balance, should I buy the original cable or can you recommend me some?